A medical doctor and international consultant, Dr. Ojo Oluwatosin, has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Attorney-General Lawal Pedro (SAN), and the Inspector General of Police to step in and prevent the alleged unlawful takeover of his land in Lekki Phase 1.
Dr. Oluwatosin, who had planned to establish a state-of-the-art specialist hospital in Lagos, expressed concern that his investment and personal safety were at risk due to the activities of suspected land grabbers.
According to him, he legally purchased the land on Admiralty Road, Lekki Phase 1, from Churchgate Nigeria Ltd in 2020, securing all necessary documentation, including the governor’s consent and registration at the Lagos State Bureau of Lands.
Speaking through his lawyer, Ayodele Osanyinlusi, Dr. Oluwatosin revealed that he had obtained the required building approvals from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPA).
He also noted that the land is covered by a valid Certificate of Occupancy dated January 16, 1990.
Osanyinlusi stated that the trouble began in 2023 when construction commenced on the hospital project. About 15 armed men, accompanied by suspected thugs, allegedly stormed the site, evicted workers, and claimed to be from the Lagos State Task Force.
However, further inquiries revealed that they had no official backing.
Despite interventions from the Maroko Police Division and legal directives from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in August and December 2024, the alleged land grabbers persisted.
They reportedly returned, broke into the site, damaged property, and carted away construction materials worth over N30 million.
The case was later referred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Alagbon.
However, Osanyinlusi alleged that the suspected land speculators, claiming strong political connections, managed to have the case transferred to FCID Abuja, leading to the arrest of Dr. Oluwatosin’s lawyer, Ademola Ekundayo.
Following these developments, Dr. Oluwatosin petitioned the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Zone 2, which led to fresh investigations and a lawsuit at the Lagos State High Court.
The court, presided over by Justice A. Idowu, issued an interlocutory injunction barring Starmark Finance Company Ltd and its associates from interfering with the land.
Despite the court ruling and legal orders for prosecution, Osanyinlusi claimed the alleged perpetrators continued their attempts to seize the property and were even working on falsifying documents to resell the land.
Condemning the situation as a blatant abuse of power, he called on President Bola Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu, Attorney-General Pedro, and the Inspector General of Police to intervene and protect Dr. Oluwatosin’s property and safety.
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